The concept of putting M.2 SSD slots on GPUs isn’t quite new by now, given that ASUS has released exactly one model with such design up until this point – but no other GPU add-in board (AIB) vendors has tried to do the same with their cards, until MAXSUN’s new Arc B580 GPU that comes with not just one, but two SSD slots.
MAXSUN Arc B580: Half GPU, Half SSD
This unreleased MAXSUN Arc B580 iCraft SSD is the offshoot model of the Arc B580 iCraft just announced days ago during Arc B-Series launch, featuring two additional SSD slots piggybacking the triple-fan GPU (highlighted in the image above). It’s not exactly clear how the installation mechanism works, but the exploded view seems to indicate some kind of drive sled that can be pulled out from the GPU, install the SSD separately, then re-install it by sliding it back in.
As for why a design like this exists, one has to look at the way PCIe connection is utilized. Modern mid-range GPUs these days often uses x8 connections despite physically using x16 connections – this means half of the x16 bandwidth remains unused. To make full use of it, having two SSDs, each taking x4 connections, would theoretically saturate the available bandwidth from the PCIe connection (x8 to GPU, x4 to 1st SSD, and x4 to 2nd SSD), which may allow more SSDs to be installed into one system.
Moreover, this is also another creative use of the available space freed up by Arc B580’s small PCB, meaning it’s possible to install M.2 2280 drives (measuring 80mm long) while still keeping the length of the GPU reasonable to install. If the standard, non-SSD model’s specs is anything to go by, the GPU should measure 312mm long – good enough to fit virtually all standard ATX cases.
Source: Videocardz
Pokdepinion: On paper, sounds like a pretty solid idea – it might even offer bonus flexibility for SFF installations too.
